Cars 2 was Pixar’s first Cars-related feature released after the original film.
The original Cars opened in 2006, and Cars 2 followed in 2011. The sequel expands the franchise beyond Radiator Springs, sending Lightning McQueen and Mater to international locations for the World Grand Prix. Its plot combines racing with a spy adventure involving an alternative fuel and a group seeking to manipulate public opinion.
Brad Lewis directed Cars 2, making it his first feature as a director. John Lasseter, director of the original Cars, returned as a director alongside Lewis. The sequel introduced several international characters and locations while retaining recurring figures from Radiator Springs.
Cars 3 arrived later, in 2017, returning the story’s emphasis to McQueen’s career and his relationship with a new generation of racers. Cars on the Road is a television series rather than a feature film.